Body-brace with suspender attachment.



T. B. HARDIMAN. BODY BRACE WITH SUSPENDER ATTACHMENT. APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1912.

1,06%,903, Patented June 17, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES INVENTOR 7. 15. Hare/A7700 COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON. LL c.

T. B. HARDIMAN. BODY BRAGB WITH SUSPENDER ATTACHMENT; APPLIUATION FILED MAY 25, 1912.

1,064,903, Patented June 17, 1913.

2 SHEETS-BHEBT 2.

WITNESSES INFENTOR- W 7:15. flare/#7700 Home] THOMAS B. HARDIMAN,

BODY-BRACE WITH SUS 1,964,903. Specification of Application filed May 25,

INDIANA.

or PATOKA,

FENDER ATTACHMENT.

L ter n Patented June 17,1913.

1912. Serial No. 699,724.

To all whom 2'25 may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS B. HARDI- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Patoka, in the county of Gibson and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Body-Braces with Suspender Attachments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a body brace with suspender attachment.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a simple and economical brace possessing many features of merit and superiority over anything now in use, and which will effectually brace and strengthen the body and back.

A further object of this invention is to provide a body brace provided with a suspender attachment.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the device consists in the novel features of construction, illustrated in the drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation illustrating the application of the device. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the heel plate and heel strap. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 1-4 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 5-5.

Referring to the drawings for a more particular description of the invention, the device comprises a pair of shoulder straps 1 and 2 of non-elastic material which pass forwardly over the shoulders, as shown in Fig. 1, and are stitched or otherwise secured to the body strap 3 which completely encircles the body under the arms, one end of the band 3 is provided with an adjustable catch i and the other end with a loop 5, whereby the band may be adjusted to the wearer. The shoulder straps 1 and 2 are also stitched to the body band 3 at the back, as at 6, and extend below the body band to the hips. A back brace 7 is arranged beneath the body band 3 being provided at opposite ends with loops 8 to receive the rear ends of the shoulder straps. The back brace is preferably formed of one strip of form the loops 8 which receive the shoulder straps. A pair of vertically spaced stays 12 and 13 are arranged between the two members 1 and 2 of the body brace, said stays being constructed of flat spring steel or other suitable material, and having their ends 1 1- bent inwardly against the outer faces of the shoulder straps. By this construction it is obvious that the body brace may be adjusted vertically to support and brace the weakest point of the back. The stays 12 and 18 greatly strengthen the brace 7 and the inwardly bent ends thereof will hold it in adjusted position. A pair of elastic straps 15 extend from the lower ends of the shoulder straps to the ankles, at the back of the legs, the upper ends of the straps being detachably connected, as at 16, with the lower back ends of the shoulder straps and the lower ends provided with the loop-shaped heel straps 17 to which are stitched the approximately U-shaped metal heel plates 18, which fit the bottom of the heel and prevent the straps 17 from slipping out of place. The elastic straps 15 are provided with the fastening bands 19 of suitable non-elastic material which fit the legs under the knees with the ends of the bands connected together at the front, as at 20, by buttons and eyes, spring clasps or other suitable means.

A suspender attachment 21 is secured to the body band 3 at the back for supporting the trousers. The front members 22 of the suspender attachment are secured to the band at the front, as shown in Fig. 1, the purpose of which will be evident.

By means of my improved body brace and suspender attachment, the user will be greatly benefitted as the body will be greatly strengthened through its use and the wearer caused to stand erect with the shoulders thrown back, thereby inducing deep breathing. At the same time the back and body will be effectually braced at the weak points.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings, it is thought that the construction, application and many advantages to be had through the use of my invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportions and minor details of construction may be renon-elastic material stitched at 9 and 10 to sorted to without departing from the principles or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invent-ion as defined in the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new is:

l. A device of the character specified comprising a pair of shoulder straps, a body band encircling the body under the arms and secured to the shoulder straps at the back and front, a back brace adjustably connected with the shoulder straps beneath the body band and adapted to be adjusted to the weakest part of the back, elastic straps detachably connected at their upper ends with the lower ends of the shoulder straps, nonelastic loop-shaped heel straps connected with the lower ends of said elastic straps and receiving the heels, and U-shaped metal heel plates secured to said heel straps to prevent the latter from slipping out of place.

2. A device of the class described comprising a pair of shoulder straps, a body band encircling the body under the arms and connected with the shoulder straps at the front and rear, and a vertically adjustable back brace arranged beneath the body band at the back and adapted to be adjusted to the weakest part of the back, said brace consisting of a single strip of non-elastic material having its inner and outer layers stitched together to form loops to receive the shoulder straps and a pair of steel spring stays to brace the back, said stays disposed longitudinally of the brace and arranged between the two layers thereof with their ends bent inwardly to engage and clamp the back faces of the shoulder straps.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence 01. two witnesses.

THOMAS E. HARDIMAN. \Vitnesses CHARLES O. BALZIN, ROBERT C. BALTZELL.

(iop'ies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

